Free tool

What does marketing really cost you?

Drag the sliders to match what you need. We'll estimate what a traditional agency and a full-time hire would run per month at 2026 rates — and how much an embedded specialist backed by AI could save you.

Your situation

Strategy, paid ads, SEO, creative, outbound, web/CRO, social
Part-time (~20) to full-time (~40)
Senior = strategy + leadership, not just execution.
Traditional agency monthly retainer
Full-time hire salary + ~28% benefits & overhead
Embedded specialist + Olympus AI most clients land here
A fraction of the above
estimated savings vs a traditional agency
Get your exact number — free audit

Directional estimate using 2026 US market rates. Your real scope & price are set in a free audit.

How to read this

Why the cheapest line item isn't the cheapest answer

The agency markup

Agencies bundle a junior team, account managers, and margin into a retainer — and split their attention across many clients. You pay for the overhead, not just the work.

The hire's hidden cost

A salary is only the start. Add ~28% for benefits, taxes, tools, and ramp time — then remember one person covers one or two channels, not all of them.

The embedded model

One dedicated specialist, backed by AI agents that handle execution at machine speed and a bench of specialists for the rest — so you cover every channel without the markup or the payroll.

Common questions

Marketing cost — FAQ

How much does a marketing agency cost per month?+
In 2026, most agencies charge $5,000–$15,000/mo on retainer for SMBs, scaling with the number of channels and the seniority of the team. The calculator estimates a figure from your selected scope.
Is it cheaper to hire in-house or use an agency?+
A hire can look cheaper on base salary, but loaded cost (benefits, taxes, tools, overhead) adds ~25–30%, and one person usually covers only one or two channels — so for full coverage it's often comparable to or pricier than an agency.
How much can I save with an embedded specialist backed by AI?+
Because it replaces both the agency markup and the overhead of a hire, most clients spend roughly 40–65% less than an agency for comparable output. Your exact investment is scoped in a free audit.
How accurate is this calculator?+
It's a directional estimate using 2026 US market rates — meant to frame the decision, not quote a final price. Your exact number is set after a free marketing audit.

Like your number? Let's make it real.

Claim a free audit and we'll turn this estimate into a concrete plan — scope, channels, and the exact pantheon we'd deploy.

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